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| Veterinary Medicine Update |  |  |
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- Marine mammals infected with H1N1, study finds
According to new research, the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza strain surfaced in elephant seals a year later. The University of California, Davis, One Health Institute and Wildlife Health Center study examined nasal swabs collected from some 900 marine animals between 2009 and 2011 and found H1N1 infection in two elephant seals and antibodies to the virus in 28 more. "The study of influenza virus infections in unusual hosts, such as elephant seals, is likely to provide us with clues to understand the ability of influenza virus to jump from one host to another and initiate pandemics," said researcher Adolfo García-Sastre. ScienceDaily
(5/15)     
- Building on animal advances, scientists clone human embryos
Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University said they have successfully cloned human embryos. The embryos serve as a source of stem cells that can be programmed to develop into specific cell types, such as heart cells, the researchers say. In the 1960s, John Gurdon at Oxford University cloned the first animal, a frog, and received a Nobel Prize for his work. National Public Radio/Shots blog
(5/15)
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- Dog battles Coonhound paralysis and wins
Coonhound paralysis, also known as acute canine idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis, struck 4-year-old Labrador retriever Kahlua seemingly without warning, but she persevered with the help of veterinarians and her family. The cause is unknown, but the disease involves an immune-mediated attack on the nervous system that may be triggered in some dogs by contact with raccoon saliva. The condition can debilitate dogs, and intensive physical therapy and supportive care are needed to give dogs a shot at recovery. Kahlua's case has a happy ending. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
(5/16)
- Cicadas pose no major threat to pets
Cicadas do not pose a major health risk for pets, according to experts including veterinarian Padma Yadlapalli, who says pets will likely spit out any cicada they try to eat. If ingested, gastrointestinal upset or possibly blockage could occur, so veterinarians advise discouraging ingestion. However, there is no danger of disease: "While they might be a nuisance, they don't sting, they don't bite, and they don't carry disease," says veterinarian Shelly Rubin. The Baltimore Sun
(5/15), DogChannel.com
(5/15)
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| | Fight the Spread of Canine Lyme Disease
Canine Lyme disease is no longer just a threat to dogs in the Northeast or North-Central U.S. (often called "endemic areas"). Lyme disease is growing fast — infected dogs have been found in all 48 contiguous states. Read further, in the SmartBrief Sponsored Feature brought to you by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. | |
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| Around the Office | |  |
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- Protect your business from employee theft
Last year, 528 employees stole $100,000 or more from their employer -- an 11% jump from the year before, according to research by Marquet International. "With each passing year, the embezzlement schemes we see seem to get bigger and bigger," said Christopher Marquet, the company's CEO. Employers can manage the risk of theft by conducting audits, dividing financial responsibilities among employees and requiring bookkeepers to take time off. BusinessNewsDaily.com
(5/15)
| Policy Watch | | |
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- Bill takes aim at those who support animal fighting
 The Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act would close an important loophole in efforts to stem animal fighting by holding spectators accountable under federal law for attending the events, according to Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who along with three Senate colleagues introduced the measure. "A federal law to deter people from attending animal fights would give local and state law enforcement vital help, authority and support to attack this abhorrent activity at its root," Blumenthal writes. The Hill
(5/14)
| AVMA in the News | | |
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- Dog Bite Prevention Week starts Sunday
The AVMA's National Dog Bite Prevention Week, which starts Sunday, calls attention to the importance of responsible pet ownership, training and other safety precautions. "Understanding how dogs behave and how to behave around dogs could save countless people from the serious physical and emotional consequences of a dog bite," said AVMA President Dr. Douglas G. Aspros. New data released in partnership with the AVMA shed light on dog-bite claims and costs by state, finding that overall claims are down but payouts per claim are up. MLive.com (Michigan) (free registration)
(5/16), The State Journal-Register (Springfield, Ill.)
(5/15), Bloomberg
(5/15)
| Association News | | |
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- Phosphine product precautions
In the past few years, the AVMA has received reports of veterinary personnel becoming ill during the treatment of dogs that had ingested zinc phosphide rodenticide pellets; it is suspected that human exposure resulted from the release of phosphine gas into the examination rooms when the dogs were induced to vomit. Zinc phosphide is a common component of rodenticides for home and commercial use, and aluminum phosphide is commonly used in agriculture as an insecticide for the fumigation of grains and animal feed. Both products liberate phosphine gas, which is highly toxic to animals and people. The AVMA has gathered resources for veterinarians and pet owners on precautions to take to avoid becoming sickened by phosphine gas. View AVMA's resources on phosphine product precautions.
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